Individual or network Backup HDD???

[Spike88]

For "install it and leave it" background DATA backup solutions, currently researching:

A - Connect Backup HDD directly to my wife's "on order" IMac. For example, My Book 1 TB via USB or perhaps faster FW800 wire device. For example:
- My Book for Mac - http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_213_603&item_id=026765
- LaCie 1TB d2 Quadra Hard Disk - http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_213_603&item_id=027316
I hear both of these soutions can use Time Machine.

B - Use Network Connected Backup Device. For example: My Book World 1 TB box via Ethernet connection off my home's 2-Wire Router. re: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_213_603&item_id=031508
Can this also use Time Machine or must we use WD's backup program?

If wondering, my home also has a Windows 7 HP Laptop that is wireless connected to our 2-wire router. I'm thinking a Network Connected backup solution can also be used for both iMac and Win 7 backups. No need for raid / mirroring. Just the simple "lower cost" My Book World 1 TB unit would be used.

Based on the above ideas, appreciate your good, bad, ugly and "other options" feedback. Options that are under $200. Ideally $160-$180 range.

thanks.

 

[Dwhite78]

For "install it and leave it" background DATA backup solutions, currently researching:

A - Connect Backup HDD directly to my wife's "on order" IMac. For example, My Book 1 TB via USB or perhaps faster FW800 wire device. For example:
- My Book for Mac - http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_213_603&item_id=026765
- LaCie 1TB d2 Quadra Hard Disk - http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_213_603&item_id=027316
I hear both of these soutions can use Time Machine.

B - Use Network Connected Backup Device. For example: My Book World 1 TB box via Ethernet connection off my home's 2-Wire Router. re: http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=15_213_603&item_id=031508
Can this also use Time Machine or must we use WD's backup program?

If wondering, my home also has a Windows 7 HP Laptop that is wireless connected to our 2-wire router. I'm thinking a Network Connected backup solution can also be used for both iMac and Win 7 backups. No need for raid / mirroring. Just the simple "lower cost" My Book World 1 TB unit would be used.

Based on the above ideas, appreciate your good, bad, ugly and "other options" feedback. Options that are under $200. Ideally $160-$180 range.

thanks.

Do not get a My Book product. They last for almost exactly a year and then crap out. Go with a directly connected, HD. Such as this.

 

[Hellhammer]

You can still share the HD wirelessly from the iMac so you can access it from your PC laptop.

 

[Spike88]

You can still share the HD wirelessly from the iMac so you can access it from your PC laptop.

Perfect!!!!

Being new to iMacs, I didn't realize I could connect an HDD directly to an iMac via its FW800 port and configure it for "sharing". Thus, allowing my wireless HP / Win 7 box to copy files to it (re: the slaved HDD off my wife's iMac).

Great "cost savings" and simple idea - since 95% of our data file backups will be off the iMac desktop. The portable HP laptop is mostly used as "thin client" internet access setup. Thus, 80/20 rule. re: 80% used machine gets the backup drive connected to it.

Thanks for this configuration solution...


.

 

[cube]

Retrospect Desktop comes with 2 client licenses (1 server + 2 clients), and can do proactive backup. The disk storing the backups needs to be accessible just by the "server".

Note that Desktop can backup Mac, Windows, and Linux machines, but cannot backup OS X Server or Windows Server. You need at least the 'Single Server' version for that.

You can add more client licenses (server versions also allow to add server client licenses).

The Desktop version is also limited to 1 backup activity thread.